[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 KOSOVO AND SOUTHWEST ASIA EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RONNIE SHOWS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1664) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for military 
     operations, refugee relief, and humanitarian assistance 
     relating to the conflict in Kosovo, and for military 
     operations in Southwest Asia for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1999, and for other purposes:

  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Chairman, today I stand before my colleagues and the 
American people to discuss the American Farmer. I stand before you to 
urge quick and complete passage of the emergency supplemental bill for 
America's farm families.
  My district, in Mississippi, is largely supported by agriculture. 
Family farmers, and might I add I was once a farmer, are our neighbors, 
friends, and community leaders. They provide a foundation of sound 
American values and a strong work ethic to communities all across our 
nation. When you get right down to it, they are good people who work 
real hard to make a living and raise their families.
  There's more, much more, to say about our farmers, though. The 
American family farmer is the most successful and efficient farmer in 
the world. Our agricultural industry feeds and clothes more people than 
any other system of agriculture on the planet. The American farmer is 
one of America's greatest success stories. They have excelled through 
the best and worst of times.
  Our farmers fed a hungry nation during the Great Depression, 
sustained our great army during World War II. And, when the soldiers 
came home, our farmers went to work with new and dynamic technologies 
and machinery. They have helped feed, clothe, fuel, and grow our 
economy without ever looking back.
  We can not turn our backs on our farmers when they need our help. We 
can not afford to.
  Our farmers and ranchers are feeling financial and emotional stress. 
Prices of commodities have been spiraling downward over the past year. 
Many of our farm families have seen prices for their hard work hit 
decade lows over the recent months. We must act now to support our 
American farm families. And, we can not allow nonfarm related issues 
cloud the language of the serious request.
  It has been 2 months since the supplemental spending request was 
submitted to Congress seeking emergency assistance to our farmers. Two 
months . . . It is now time for farmers to plant their crops and no 
action has been taken to get this crucial money to the farm community. 
The money is sorely needed. USDA loan funds are running dry as the farm 
crisis has created four times the normal demand for farm loan programs.
  I can not attempt to describe how important this money is to farm 
families across Mississippi and, indeed, across America.
  Since this supplemental spending request was made, over 8,000 
applications for loans from farmers have been received. The American 
people must understand how important . . . how crucial the need is out 
there for our farmers. This isn't play money. Farmers need money to 
farm.
  Let's pass this legislation and support our farm families today. 
Let's support our farmers because they support us everyday.

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